The president and founder of the compatriots’ historical society “Northern Cross,” historian and philosopher Yuri Sandulov, died on Wednesday morning, May 6, from complications of coronavirus infection in the 67th year of his life.
To the family, loved ones and colleagues of Yuri Askoldovich Sandulov
Dear brothers and sisters!
It was with sincere sorrow that I received the news of the sudden repose of Yuri Askoldovich, whom I had the opportunity to meet exactly one year ago in the Paschal days of May. As with my predecessors in archpastoral ministry in the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA, Yuri Askoldovich hastened to share with me his plans and a proposal for cooperation in cultural and historical projects, through which the departed expressed his love for his Homeland and sought to perpetuate the memory of Russian compatriots in America.
For the clergy and many laity of the Moscow Patriarchate parishes in the USA who worked with the newly reposed for many years, it is still difficult to express the sense of irreparable loss we are experiencing. I am confident that the best expression of gratitude to Yuri Askoldovich for his invaluable contribution to popularizing the Russian Orthodox heritage in the USA will be the completion of the projects we have been working on recently and which remained unfinished.
Today we pray to the Risen Christ the Savior, Who has called His faithful laborer to Himself, for all who weep and grieve over the repose of Yuri Askoldovich and await Divine consolation. But, as soldiers of Christ accompanying our comrade and fellow believer on the way of all the earth, we see a sign of God’s special mercy to the newly reposed in that He granted Yuri Askoldovich to be born into Eternity on the feast of his heavenly patron — the Great Martyr George the Victorious. Exactly one year ago, on May 6, Yuri Askoldovich presented the project of a memorial chapel to all the Knights of the Order of St. Georgewho ended their lives in the USA.
Through the prayers of the Great Martyr George, may the Merciful Lord grant the newly reposed Yuri the Kingdom of Heaven and eternal rest, and to all the family, loved ones and colleagues of the departed strength and courage to bear this heavy loss.
With sincere condolences,
+MATTHEW, Bishop of Sourozh,
Temporary Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA